Shaw and Barrera Make Final Case in California Superintendent Race

Republican Sonja Shaw and Democrat Richard Barrera are competing to succeed term-limited Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. The two school board presidents emerged from June’s primary, where Shaw finished more than 250,000 votes ahead of Barrera, and will face voters on November 3, 2026.

Shaw, who leads the Chino Valley Unified board, says she would focus on reading, writing and math, with early help for students who are struggling. She has also pledged to support fairness and safety for girls in sports and school facilities, make school spending more transparent and direct resources toward classrooms and effective teachers.

Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified board, points to gains in reading and math in his district and says he wants to improve student success statewide. His endorsements include Thurmond, the California Teachers Association, the state educators’ federation and the California School Employees Association. Shaw has backing from the state Republican Party, Republican gubernatorial nominee Steve Hilton and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

The office’s authority is set to shrink on January 15, 2027, when an education commissioner selected by the governor assumes control of the Department of Education. The elected superintendent would retain the title and seats on state education governing boards, but no longer lead the department. Shaw says she would challenge the change in court if elected, arguing it conflicts with the state constitution. She also says the office can still publish results and press for transparency.

The campaign has featured disputes over transgender students, parental rights, testing and former President Donald Trump. Shaw has said Barrera uses Trump to avoid education issues; Barrera has linked her to Trump. He has also argued that state law protects LGBTQ+ students.

Barrera Offers Proven District Leadership as Shaw Pushes Culture-War Agenda

California’s superintendent race is a choice between a candidate touting public-school results and one whose rise has been tied to divisive fights over transgender students. Voters decide on November 3, 2026, when Democrat Richard Barrera faces Republican Sonja Shaw.

Barrera leads the San Diego Unified school board and has cited gains in reading and math, as well as the district’s graduation rates and college and career readiness. He says he wants to improve student success statewide. His backers include outgoing Superintendent Tony Thurmond and the California Teachers Association, the state teachers’ federation and the California School Employees Association.

Shaw, head of the Chino Valley Unified board, has been prominent in disputes over parental notification when students change gender identification or pronouns and over transgender athletes. Barrera has said California law protects LGBTQ+ students. Shaw’s campaign emphasizes academic basics, Title IX protections for girls, spending transparency and reducing bureaucracy, while Barrera supports more school funding and has called for additional counselors, nurses and smaller classes.

The office is also losing power. A governor-appointed commissioner is due to take over the Department of Education on January 15, 2027, leaving the elected superintendent with the title and seats on education boards but not control of the department. Shaw says she would sue to challenge that change. The race puts her cultural agenda and promises of a court fight against Barrera’s case for his district’s record and broader school resources.

Shaw Puts Academic Basics and Accountability at Center of Race

California families deserve schools focused on learning, not bureaucracy, and Republican Sonja Shaw says that is the choice in the November 3, 2026, superintendent election. Shaw faces Democrat Richard Barrera, whose campaign has received backing from major teachers’ unions.

Shaw, who leads the Chino Valley Unified school board, says California students need stronger instruction in reading, writing and math, early intervention for struggling learners and honest reporting on progress and spending. She also says girls’ sports and facilities should follow Title IX and that resources should reach classrooms and effective teachers.

Barrera, president of San Diego Unified, points to academic gains in his district and says he wants to improve outcomes statewide. He has also called for more funding, counselors, medical staff and reduced class sizes. A political action committee affiliated with the California Teachers Association spent $5 million supporting him during the primary. Shaw has the backing of the state Republican Party and Republican gubernatorial nominee Steve Hilton.

The superintendent’s authority is scheduled to diminish on January 15, 2027, when a governor-appointed commissioner assumes control of the Department of Education. Shaw argues the change undermines an independently elected office and says she would challenge its implementation in court. Though the superintendent would lose control of the department, Shaw says the office can still scrutinize results and spending. Barrera has tied Shaw to former President Donald Trump; she says she has never met him and accuses Barrera of using Trump to sidestep education issues.